Uber Files Complaint With EU Against Hungary

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Ride-hailing app Uber says it has filed a complaint with the European Commission against Hungary, where legislation that came into force in July practically banned the service. Rob Khazzam, Uber’s general manager for Central Europe, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the company’s aim was to return the service to Budapest, where it began operations in late 2014. Uber had 160,000 users and 1,200 drivers in Hungary. Legislation approved by parliament in June and enforced from July 24 allows authorities to fine Uber and similar services, block their websites and apps, ban the cars of drivers for up to three years and suspend their licenses for six months. Hungary banned Uber claiming the company gained a competitive advantage by ignoring rules which apply to taxi services.